Cigar-lighter.



. Patented luly I8, |899. A. C. GRUHLKE.

CIGAB LIGHTER.

(Application filed Jan. 6, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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llnrTnn STnTns PATnNT FFICEE@ AUGUSTUS C. GRUHLKE, OF W'ATERLOO, INDIANA.

ClGARuLlGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters lPatent No. 628,982, dated July 18, 1899.. Application filed January 6, 1899. Serial No. 701,346. (Nonnodel.)

Beit known that I, AUGUSTUS C. GRUHLKE, of Waterloo, in the county of De Kalb and State of Indiana, have invented an Improve! ment in Cigar-Lighters, of which the following is a full and exact description.

` My invention Vrelates to an improvement in electric cigar-lighters adapted to be suspended from the ceiling or other support and to hang in proximity to a showcase, for example, the lighter being especially adapted for use in stores or in other places where cigars are re tailed.

The object of my invention is to provide a lighter of the above-mentioned character which will be simple, durable, and economical and which may be automatically lighted by an electric spark when the lighter is drawn toward the person desiring the light, and whereby when the lighter is released the 'flame will be instantly extinguished.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the lighter that the electric current cannot be short-circuited and that the lighter may be operated in a strong current of air as successfully as when removed from drafts of air.

My present invention relates to the same general construction shown in Patent No. 613,140 and is an improvement on the same.

'Ihe invention consists in the novel con in which similar characters of reference indi-V cate corresponding parts in both figures.

Figure l is a vertical section through the.

improved lighter. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

A represents a tube of any desirable length, provided at its upper end with a tubular cap B, which is attached in any convenient man-` ner. The tube A is connected at its lower end with a second tube C, to which is attached a shield D, said shield comprising two opposing Wings, suitably connected at oneof their edges and being adapted to protect the ilame of the lighter from drafts or currents of air. The upper tube A bears upon a metallic washer H, which iits snugly within the lower tube C at a point near its upper end. Below the metallic washer H is the washer J, made of some insulating fiber, said washer .I being partially bored out, so as t0 receive the metallic washer I, and serving to insulate the washer I from the walls of the tube C and from the washer I-I. The Washers I and J rest upon the cylindrical block R, made of some insulatingfiber, which bears at its lower end upon the shoulder ain the tube C and is prevented from rotating by the screw b.

Into the block R, at its upper end, is dovetailed the slotted metallic block L, in a position at right angles to the axis of the lighter and between the wings of the shield D, said block L passing through an opening c in the walls of the tube C, which opening is sufficiently large to prevent contact between the walls of the tube C and the block L.

P is a metallic spring bent at right angles and soldered to the rear end of the block L and clamped and held in position by the washers I and J. In the slot CZ is pivoted'the spark point or tongue K, whichis actuated in its movement by gravity andwhich normally hangs in a position at right angles to the block L. The tongue K is limited in its motion toward the lighter by the heel c hitting the under side of the spring I), as shown in dotted lines, the point f being thus prevented from coming in contact with the tube C and shortcircuiting thc electric current to be applied to the device, as will be hereinafter described.

It is also limited in its motion fromthe lighter when engaged with the burner-tube E, as described later, bythe projection g striking the end of the spring P, and thus preventing the spring from being overstrained or broken.

The tube C is beveled at its lower end and a small chamber Z is left below the block R. An insulated cond ucting-wire mis attached to the metallic washer l-I, and a second insulated conducting`wire n is attached to the metallic washer I, the two wires being carried up through the cap B to any generating device. The wires after passing through the cap Bl are preferably twisted together and may serve as a support forthe lighter.

A receptacle G is provided to contain an illuminating fluid, and said receptacle is provided with a metallic nozzle E, which is pivotally connected with the lower front portion IOO of the shield D at F, and which in the normal position of the lighter will be in close contact at its upper end, which is beveled with the lower beveled edge of the tube C. The chamber Z is thus seen to be immediately over the nozzle E. The nozzle E is provided with a suitable wick.

The path of the electric current is as follows: through the wire n to the washer I, thence to the spring P, to the block L, to the pivot 0, to the tongue K, to its point f, through the Wire m to the washer H, thence to the tube C, to the shield D, to the pivot F, to the nozzle E, to its tip p.

In the operation of the device the lighter is suspended from the ceiling or from any desired support .within easy reach of a person desiring a light. The reservoir or receptacle G is filled with gasolene or other lighting fluid capable of saturating the wick g. More or less vapor will at all times be present in the chamber Z and will be held therein by the engagement of the nozzle E with the bottom of the chamber. The person desiring the light will grasp the oil-receptacle G and draw it toward him. In so doingthe upper edge or tip p of the nozzleE will be brought into contact with the spark-point f, which will gravitate toward said nozzle, a spark will be produced, and the vapor or gas set free from the chamber Z will be ignited, and thus set iire to the volatile Huid saturating the wick. The vapor or gas set free from the chamber Z is prevented from dispersion through the air before the action of the spark by the wings D. After the light has been obtained the receptacle is released, the parts are returned by the action of gravity to their normal positions, and the flame is extinguished by reason of the nozzle being brought beneath the chamber Z, thus cutting oif the supply of air.

Having described my invention, What I desire to claim and to secure by Letters Patent 1s- 1. In an electric cigar-lighter, a currentconducting body, comprising an upper and lower member, the members having pivotal connection with each other, the combination with a block of insulating material, a metallic block inserted in said insulating material, of a flat metallic spring provided at the upper edge of said metallic block, and an oscillating spark-point having pivotal connection with said metallic block, said oscillating point electrically charged and arranged to form a contact with a member of said current-conducting body, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an electric cigar-lighter, the currentconducting body comprising an upper and lower member, the lower member having pivotal connection with said upper member, the combination with a block of insulating material, and a metallic block inserted in said insulating material, of a flat metallic spring on the upper edge of said metallic block, .and a spark-point provided with heel and shoulder, said heel and shoulder arranged to be acted on by the metallic spring, whereby the sparkpoint is limited in its oscillation, said sparkpoint electrically charged and arranged to Contact with the lower member, substantially. as and in the manner described.

3. In a cigar-lighter, the combination of a body which is an electrical conductor, a block of insulating fiber, a metallic block dovetailed in the insulating fiber, and a fiat metallic spring provided at the upper edge of said metallic block, a spark-point pivotally connected to said metallic block, said spark-point having an extension or heel which limits its motion toward the body ot' the lighter, and a small upward projection which limits its motion from the lighter, a reservoir provided with a nozzle which is an electrical conductor and which is pivotally connected to said body, and wires conveying an electric current respectively to said spark-point and nozzle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a cigar-lighter, the combination of a body which is an electrical conductor, a block of insulating fiber, a metallic block dovetailed in the insulating fiber and a iiat metallic spring provided at the upper edge of said metallic block, a spark-point pivotally connected to said metallic block, said spark-point having an extension or heel which limits its motion toward the body of the lighter, and a small upward projection which limits its motion from the lighter, a shield for the flame, a gas-chamber, a reservoir provided with a nozzle which is an electrical conductor and which is pivotally connected to said body, and wires conducting an electric current respectively to said spark-point and to said nozzle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In an electric cigar-lighter, consisting of current-conducting body comprising an upper and lower member, the combination of a metallic block having insulated connection with the upper member, a iiat spring arranged on the metallic block, a spark-point pivoted to said metallic block and in contact with said dat spring, the spark-point being provided with heel and shoulder whereby the oscillation of the spark-point is controlled, an electricallycharged metallic washer contacting with said spring, with a reservoir attached to the lower member, said lower member having pivotal connection with the upper member of said electrically-charged body, to permit its being swung outward and in contact with the sparkpoint, substantially as shown and for the purpose described.

AUGUSTUS C. GRUHLKE.

Witnesses:

I-I. C. WILLIs, FRANK W. WILLIS.

IOO

IXO 

